Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-12-27
THE WORLDS HOLIDAY.
How Christmas Tide was Passed in
Rock Island.
Public and Private Observances---A
Merry Festival, Indeed---Popuiar
Amasements, Etc.

What more lovely and appropriate
Christmas day could be imagined than
was Sunday The temperature was mod.
crate. the sleighing was magnificent and
there was nothing whatever in the wealth.
er or otherwise to mar the peace and
quiet and happiness of the day. SO far as
Rock Island was concerned at least. 1t
was generally conceded that there should
be three Christmas holidays this year and
so it was While Sunday was the day in
reality. yesterday was the legal holiday,
and Saturday-the day before Christmas
is always considered part of the festi-
val, ending as it does with Christmas eve.
The day of universal JOY and holiness
was most happily spent in Rock Island
At such a season all the world should re-
joice and be happy--equally thankful |
for favors found and favors bestowed. |
Early morning witnessed the children's |
delight and gratitude; the afternoon tess
titled to manklnds religious devotion, the
evening resounded with commingled
merrimeIt Of young and old, the gulf of
age smothered over by the day. On
Christmas the young may frolic and let
loose their happiness in harmless pranks,
and the staid old folks with plstitudes so
formal and ponderous congratulations
even they unbend as the day wakes older
and their stilted courtesies acquire wei
come frankness of tone as they remem>
Der the day-the merry Christmas tide.
Saturday evening was given up to
Christmas trees, visitations of the imag>
Unable. yet ever welcome Santa Claus, the
exchanges of congratulations and wishes
for Merry Christmas" etc. An i'm,
pressive midnight celebration was held at
Trinity church Saturday night. There
was a large congregation present. In
the city churches Sunday morning ser
vices were held commemorative of the
natal day of the Redeemer of the uni
verse. With scarcely an exception. the
sermons we're upon the birth of Christ
and the glorious hymns and anthems ex-
pressed the JOY that came to the world
with the star OF Bethlehem. All the con
gregations were large, Sunday morning
at the Broadway church wasSdevoted to
the little ones, when Rev. W. S. Mar
quis preached sermon full of interest
and appropriateness to the joyous festi-
val. In the evening the Sunday schools
of Trinity and Tri.citY mission united in
a delightful choral service at Trinity
church.
In many a home the past two days
happy Christmas dinners have been en-
joyed by families reunited, than which
; there is no better way of observing the
Christmas season. Then is when the rea
G joy is realized, when about the wei
laden table. the family circle is gathered
possibly for the first time during tn,
year, and listen TO the talk of the chill
dren, who tell about their presents ovel
plates full of goodies. Then is Christ
mas merry, indeed.
POPULAR AMUsEMENTs.
In the afternoon of Christmas day an
yesterday everybody who owned sleig
:. awaited himself of the opportunity of en-
joYing the amusement which the winte
season alone affords.
:, The livery stables were soon eleane
on; and Moline avenue and the drive
# across the island presented lively scene
On the river great many il
dulged in the enjoyment of skatin!
At Harper's theatre, W. c. Coup
Equescurriculm and EIliott's Londo
show, attracted large audiences both
the afternoon matinee and evening pc
Torrance. The entertainment is truly
attractive one. 1t is marvellous TO VIII
extent the wonderful horses are taught
Prof. Ed. Buckley. The novel performan,
they give seems to be the result of ed
- cation rather than training. After seeil
them 60 through their military evoll
Is, lions, marches and counter-marches wi
the precision and training of veteran
IA one almost expects TO hear them spes
= so gifted with human intellIg ence do th
seem. The various feats performed
the animals are truly marvellous and mi
be seen to be appreciated. The hor
show great intelligence in their act en-
+ tied the school, but the real acme of p
u lection was reached in the realistic bal
scene. The Elliotts are indeed master
mn the wheel. Their riding was the b
ever seen here, and the various OF
parts of the programme are unsurpass
'o1 Another matinee was given this afternC
m and the excellent combination gives
farewell entertainment this evening.
The Rock Island rink was q scene
popular pleasure. A great number
tended all day yesterday and all enjo
themselves.
The dance of the Franklin Hose C,
her pany at Turner hall Christmas eve W,
pleasant and orderly affair, and it she
be said to the credit of the company
few mischief makers who manage,
slip past the the door-keeper with v
of creating disturbance, were prom
arrested. and that in respect to Sum
the dance closed at midnight.
J, The drawing of the Christmas prize
ffs Grotisn's drug store Saturday eve
proved interesting to many ha
chances. The box of cigars was wo
W. o. Negus, and the dressing case
Hoppe, the tailor.
The annual Christmas festival of 7
ity church will be held tonight To-
row evening the Mission chapel will
its tree.
SURPRISED PASTOR
A1''' Rev. and Mrs. A. B. Medium
completely overwhelmed by the sur